20.21°C Vancouver

News

CanadaAug 05, 2026

Toronto sees three apartment fires in one day; two killed, four injured

Three separate apartment fires were reported across Toronto on Tuesday, leaving two people dead and four others, including two children, injured. According to officials, the first fire broke out at around 3:15 a.m. on the eighth floor of a 19-storey apartment building near Ontario Street and St. James Avenue. Toronto Fire Services' preliminary investigation suggests the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike. Four members of the same family, including children aged 12 and 14, suffered burn injuries and were rushed to hospital by Toronto Paramedic Services. Later that morning,
bjp-punjab-expands-organisational-team-appoints-tajinder-singh-bittu-as-state-vice-president
IndiaAug 05, 2026

BJP Punjab expands organisational team, appoints Tajinder Singh Bittu as state vice-president

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expanded its organisational structure ahead of the next Punjab Assembly election, appointing Tajinder Singh Bittu as a state vice-president. According to the party's organisational announcement, Bittu's appointment is part of a broader restructuring aimed at strengthening the BJP's leadership team across the state. The party has been assigning experienced leaders to key organisational roles as it prepares for the upcoming election. Bittu, a former Congress leader, has previously been active in Punjab politics before taking on responsibili
two-men-charged-after-violent-robbery-of-75-year-old-man-in-vancouver
BCAug 05, 2026

Two men charged after violent robbery of 75-year-old man in Vancouver

Vancouver Police say two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the violent robbery of a 75-year-old man that occurred last week in the city's Downtown Eastside. Police had earlier released surveillance video as part of the investigation. According to the Vancouver Police Department, officers on patrol near East Hastings Street and Jackson Avenue arrested the first suspect without incident on July 30 after recognizing him in the area. A second suspect was taken into custody on Aug. 2 after officers responded to a report of an unknown person inside a residence. Police identified
CanadaAug 05, 2026

Canada, U.S. expected to resume talks on steel and aluminum export cap amid tariff dispute

Canadian and U.S. trade negotiators are expected to resume discussions on a proposal that would place a cap on Canadian steel and aluminum exports to the United States in exchange for reduced U.S. tariffs, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The proposal is being considered as both countries seek to resolve a trade dispute before Aug. 19, when U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian steel and aluminum exports. The two sides also discussed the proposal last October. Those talks were suspended aft
new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa
BCJul 31, 2026

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at
man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10
BCJul 31, 2026

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me
suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre
BCJul 31, 2026

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f
b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta

Just In

surrey-medical-school-welcomes-first-class-as-b-c-expands-family-doctor-training
BCAug 05, 2026

SFU Medical School Welcomes First 48 Students to Address B.C.'s Doctor Shortage

Simon Fraser University's new medical school in Surrey, B.C., has officially welcomed its first class of 48 students, marking a major milestone in the province's efforts to tackle the ongoing shortage of family doctors and primary care providers. The inaugural group began orientation on Wednesday and will follow an accelerated, year-round medical program that allows students to earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in three years instead of the traditional four. The first graduates are expected to begin residency training as early as 2029. B.C. Premier David Eby described the new school as
BCAug 05, 2026

Vancouver home sales fall nearly 10% in July, erasing June gains

Home sales across the Vancouver region slowed again in July, falling nearly 10 per cent from a year earlier and wiping out the gains recorded in June. According to Greater Vancouver Realtors, a total of 2,061 residential properties were sold last month, down 9.8 per cent compared with July 2025. Sales were also 18.6 per cent below the region's 10-year seasonal average. Andrew Lis, Chief Economist and Vice-President of Data Analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, said the real estate market has followed a pattern of "one step forward and one step back" over the past several years, with the Jun
indian-origin-hiker-missing-on-vancouver-island-massive-search-operation-underway
CanadaAug 05, 2026

Indian-origin hiker missing on Vancouver Island, massive search operation underway

An Indian-origin man has gone missing while hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, prompting an extensive search operation involving helicopters, search dogs and specialized rescue teams. According to RCMP, 25-year-old Keshav Jindal was last seen hiking on Mount Albert Edward on the afternoon of Aug. 3. He has not been seen or heard from since. RCMP said Jindal is approximately 5-foot-7 in height. Comox Valley Search and Rescue spokesperson Paul Berry said Jindal was hiking toward the summit with a companion when the two became separated along the trail. He failed to return
westjet-resumes-normal-operations-after-flight-attendant-strike
CanadaAug 05, 2026

WestJet resumes normal operations after flight attendant strike

Canada's second-largest airline, WestJet, has announced that it has fully resumed normal operations following disruptions caused by a flight attendant strike. The airline said it is back to its regular schedule and is continuing to rebook passengers whose flights were cancelled over the weekend. According to WestJet, all scheduled flights on Wednesday are operating without disruption. The airline also thanked customers for their patience as it worked to restore services throughout the week. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that after more than 900 flights were cancelled between S
trump-says-us-iran-talks-made-very-good-progress-raising-hopes-of-easing-tensions
WorldAug 05, 2026

Trump says US-Iran talks made "very good" progress, raising hopes of easing tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has said his administration's day-long talks with Iran on Tuesday were "very good," raising fresh hopes that the five-month-long conflict could soon move toward a resolution. Following Trump's remarks, oil prices fell across Asian markets while stock markets rallied, reflecting growing investor optimism. Markets are anticipating a possible agreement that could help restore shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. Trump has previously warned that failure to reach a deal with Iran could lead to large-scale military act